Ask a TransAm(Olathe, KS) Driver...

panhandle
i have a friend driving for TA. i'm getting my CDL permit this week and then heading to Roadmaster in about two weeks i hope. i have the TA packet as they want to prehire me i guess. he leases and says hes making good money. from what you know and have heard is this possibly true. and do i have to kiss a-- to get anywhere there?.(i don't do that). and what was your thought about the people running TA. like the coaches?.any info will be appreciated.

 

Kissing axx, ha!! I've been so mad and said so many things that I'm surprised I havcen't been fired sometimes. Do your job and be OT and you'll be ok. Least thats my experience so far.
If you have a business head and a GOOD DM, yes you can make money as a L/O. You'll need to be good at trip planning so that you can make sure your not sitting to long. Ex. talked to a brand spanking new drvr/ L/O the other day in W Memphis. He had been sitting there a day already and was going to be there 2 more because of the time on the load and because the rcvr wouldn't take it early. He should have never excepted that load.
Can't really speak about the coaches. Only know 1 and yes, he is very good. A lot aren't. Mine wasn't. I'm proof tho that you can still learn the job.
The people running TA, no comment since I really don't know them. Will tell you this tho, as a person, they will not know or care about you. This company is run on drvr turnover and they've got people lined up waiting to take your place.
Am I making any sense? Can't tell cause I'm pretty tired at the moment. Waiting to be unloaded then off to the trk stop for some zzzzzzz's.

 

I did 2 years with T/A. Its a good company for a new driver to get experiance! I did that and got a local job. It is hard to make money with T/A!!! I was a company driver . I was able to make my share of mistakes, and not be terminated.If you plan to get local make sure you keep your skills up on the shifting!!! Having all your endorsements help too! I often thought about leasing but I would talk to lease operators and they would say don't do it!! 7 out of 10 drivers would say they were doing good! I met a guy who told me he was $6000k in the Hole!!! He told me he knew another guy who was $11000,00 in the hole!!! When you lease that truck don't plan on taking your 4 days a month home!! You more than likely will get in the Hole. Use the satelilite to communicate so you don't say anything to get you teminated when they get you pissed off! Because they will!! Its not a bad company compared to some out there. They really stay up on the maintnance of the vehicles!
GOOD LUCK!!!!